As a home inspector with 14 years of experience, I’ve encountered almost everything—no surprise there. From shoddy DIY repairs to hidden water leaks, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. But there’s always something new to discover, whether it’s a peculiar renovation or a cutting-edge home gadget that I’ve never seen before. Homeowners are always finding new ways to improve their properties (or sometimes, just trying to fix what’s broken), and that keeps my job interesting.
The Challenge of Figuring Out What’s Been Done
One of the most challenging, yet intriguing, aspects of my job is trying to figure out what homeowners have done over the years with their property. Sometimes, the repairs are straightforward, but other times, it’s like piecing together a mystery. A patch here, a curious wire there, a room addition that doesn’t quite match the rest of the house—these are the things that make me pause, observe, and ask, What happened here?
It’s rare that I can’t figure it out. Even when the solution isn’t immediately obvious, the clues always help me form a good conclusion about what the homeowner was trying to accomplish or fix. Sometimes it’s a botched repair, other times a well-intentioned—but misunderstood—upgrade. Either way, I approach it like a detective, and the story always reveals itself with a little patience.
A Surprising Discovery: The Wine Cooler Compressor
Not long ago, I came across a feature I hadn’t expected—a very small compressor in a wine cooler. Now, wine coolers aren’t exactly rare, but this one was located in a wine closet in a Metairie home, and I’d never seen anything like this particular setup before.
The first thing that stood out to me was how compact the compressor was. It wasn’t like the typical refrigeration unit you’d expect in larger appliances, and the placement of it made me curious. I could tell right away that it wasn’t just part of a typical wine cooler system; this compressor was installed to help regulate the temperature in a small, enclosed room. It was a creative solution, for sure, likely designed to keep the wine closet at a consistent, cool temperature. Here’s a company that sells such items: Vinotemp
I’ll admit, I didn’t know exactly what I was looking at first. I spent a good five minutes inspecting the compressor and its surroundings. Even though this wasn’t part of the standard inspection checklist, I couldn’t resist poking around a little more. After all, wine is important, and I knew the homeowners in Metairie took their wine collection seriously.
The Cooler Wasn’t Functioning
After my inspection, it became clear that the wine cooler wasn’t functioning properly at the time of my visit. Given the importance of temperature control for wine storage, this was a concern, but it wasn’t surprising. Wine coolers, like all appliances, can malfunction from time to time. What surprised me was the innovative design of the system itself. This was an unusual setup—one I hadn’t encountered in my years of inspections.
Even though this wasn’t part of a typical home inspection, I knew the homeowners would appreciate me taking the extra time to look into it. It might not have been crucial for the sale of the home, but understanding that the cooler wasn’t working would help them make a more informed decision moving forward. I let them know about the issue and suggested they consult a specialist to address the cooler’s functionality.
Going Above and Beyond for Our Clients
This is one of the reasons why I believe my home inspection company stands out. We don’t just check the boxes on a standard list; we go above and beyond to ensure our clients get the most thorough, detailed inspection possible. Sometimes that means checking out a strange appliance or giving extra attention to a unique feature, even if it falls outside the scope of the typical home inspection.
While home inspections focus on the structure, systems, and potential issues that could impact a buyer’s decision, we understand that little things—like the functioning of a wine cooler—can make a big difference to homeowners. And we don’t charge extra for that level of service. At our company, we’re committed to ensuring that our clients are satisfied, and that means offering insights on issues that might not be part of the standard inspection process.
It’s this kind of attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction that makes us one of the best home inspection companies in New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, and the West Bank. (See Google Reviews) (Yelp Review) We don’t just check for issues; we take the time to understand the unique aspects of each property and ensure our clients have the full picture before making any decisions.
Conclusion: It’s the Little Things That Matter
When you’re a home inspector, you learn to expect the unexpected. Each property is different, and there’s always something new to discover—whether it’s a creative repair, an unusual appliance, or a hidden flaw. But it’s not just about identifying problems; it’s about understanding what’s going on, why it’s happening, and what the homeowners can do about it.
That’s why I love what I do. It’s never just about checking a list—it’s about being thorough, giving homeowners the peace of mind they deserve, and sometimes, taking a little extra time to explore the small details that matter. After all, it’s the little things that often make the biggest difference. Book us now for a great home inspection: Schedule